The One Where Nana Dies Twice

The generous laugh track more than makes cup for lack or anything funny happening

Extremely rare for a sitcom to deal with the dark subject of death, yet Friends takes the subject on head first in its eighth episode. The original creators and writers of the show and the first two episodes are at the helm again, pushing the envelope with the common issues of buying a casket, setting up a funeral and cleaning out their house/apartment and force a family to confront the emotional and physical loss of a loved one and their own mortality. Chandler story line makes up the other part, with Perry once again being given space outside his friend network to feature his stellar acting and witty, comedic charm. Second appearance of Ross and Monica's parents, driving home the emotional impact of a lost loved one with a rather touching moment in the closet. The writers are already taking rather remarkable risks for 1990s network television.

This episode had some high points, but overall, it just fell flat. It was too boring for the most part as the writers tried to tackle some dramatic plot points. I am all for drama in comedy, the show does it VERY well in later seasons, but this episode didn't make me feel sad, thoughtful, etc. I just felt bored. And honestly, some of the writing (this is rare for Friends) was cringy. The only plotline that had any interest to me was Chandler's.

Why a ham at a shiva... and just any cemetery, not a Jewish one?

Once again, it's Matthew Perry who is the star of an episode, he made it a hat trick of shows with the last episode and the trend of OK episodes raised to a higher level by Perry's portrayal of Chandler Bing continues.

Plot In A Paragraph: Chandler (Matthew Perry) is shocked to learn people have often thought him gay, when a college tries to set him up on a date with a male co-worker. Meanwhile Ross (David Schwimmer) and Monica (Courtney Cox) morn the loss of their Grandmother.

Elliot Gould returns as Jack Gellar and is as fun as the first time round,

"The Rachel", Jennifer Aniston's popular hairstyle, made its debut in this episode. The cut became very popular among fans, with many of them copying it. It has become Aniston's most iconic hairstyle.

These aren't great episodes, and Ross pining over Rachel is getting old already, but great performances from Perry in particular are lifting them up to a higher rating.